Please help selecting modest system

[tommyt]

Hi,

Please read entire post before replying. Thanks.

My son has an 04 Dodge Neon that he wants to replace the stock radio and speakers in. Please help us select a head unit, speakers and maybe a sub-woofer.

He also has an iPod.

Here is what we would like to do with the $500 he has to spend right now. If that is not enough then his B-day is in March and he may wait to get speakers/sub woofer then. Don't want to spend too much money.

Head unit should play at least CD's maybe even Mp3's

Read and control play-lists/songs on iPod from head unit. (control play-lists also not just skip through songs)

Wants a set of decent speakers that will give him better sound quality and little louder sound with a little more clean base. Was thinking about head unit with an aux output for a small powered sub if the speakers don't put out enough base. Remember he doesn't want a lot of base just a little more clean base so if we can do it with speakers only then that would be great.

Remember we are looking for a modest system that will accomplish his goals.

One other question. With a modest system like the one you'll recommend. Would you recommend replacing the stock speaker wire with some heavier gauge speaker wire or is it not worth the trouble of pulling the wire? I still have about a 100' of 16ga speaker wire left over.

Thanks,

TommyT

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[acold7dusta 10+ year member]

pioneer 6800 $190

pioneer rev 6.5" coaxial $97

^you can run just that until you move onto the sub and amp (no rear speakers)

leave the stock speaker wire, unless you amp the speakers

if you amp the speakers, just get a 4 channel amp, run the revs off the front channels, and bridge the rear channels for a 10" or 12" sub that is very efficient @ 4 ohms. also build a ported enclosure for this sub, tuned to specsamp $250

AA 12" sub $110

all prices include shipping, BNIB

total comes out to be $650, but it will sound pretty good

heres a wiring kit for you $20

build a box for 30 bucks, and he probably wont want to upgrade for a while

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

go to a shop. play with some radios. etc. then you can find em, online for cheeper.

id probably go with a alipne HU, that is full speed ipod ready. the unit will actually control the ipod. and then some alpine type s speakers, would sound nice too.

 

[Raven 10+ year member]

I can't comment on a HU, but Pioneer REV coaxials are very good sounding coaxials. I would probably get a Shiva Classic over an Ascendant Audio Assassin 12 myself, but that is just a preference. It will be difficult to assemble setup with a subwoofer and enough power for both the front speakers and woofer with a $500 budget if you are buying retail. I do sugguest looking at the classifieds section of this forum, maybe not for speakers and subwoofers, but the amp to power them would be had for less.